Despite opposition from groups ranging from environmentalists to the business sector and warnings from the environment ministry, Metro Vancouver's waste management committee opted Wednesday to support building a multi-million dollar trash incinerator in the region.

But the vote, at 7 to 5 in favour, was far from unanimous, noted Patricia Ross, an Abbotsford city councillor and the chairwoman of the Fraser Valley Regional District, whose members unanimously objected to the waste incinerator.

"Even the committee's own chair (Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore) voted against it," she said Thursday. Moore had noted FVRD's opposition as one that should be respected, "and we appreciate that," said Ross.

She added that Moore also recalled a comment made by an Abbotsford resident during Metro's waste consultation process that formed an impression on him. The Abbotsford speaker suggested if Metro approves a trash incinerator, the decision would eliminate the reasons that killed the proposed Sumas Energy 2 power plant, and that could open the door to new power plant proposals south of the border.

The waste committee's recommendation to approve the plan to build the controversial $470-million incinerator in Lower Mainland will go to vote of the full Metro Regional District board on June 30.

Its proponents, such as Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, said the incinerator was the most logical alternative to landfills.

"The garbage was created here and we need to find a solution right here to deal with it," he said. The incinerator was recommended to take the 500,000 tonnes of garbage that is now trucked to the Cache Creek dump each year. The burner would also create electricity for the Metro communities.

But those opposed to waste incineration, such as the FVRD, fear it will also create unknown cocktails of pollution that will be carried on the wind up the funnel-shaped Fraser Valley.

Ross says with the overwhelming opposition to the waste burner idea, she's surprised the committee still supports it.

"When you think about it's only a small handful of people who do support it," she said.

Those who have publicly opposed the plan include Lower Mainland chambers of commerce and several communities, the FVRD, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the Wilderness Committee, the David Suzuki Foundation, Sierra Legal, the Pembina Institute and others.

"How often do you see the business sector and the environment sector united on something? I don't understand how you can go with something with so much opposition," she said.

Abbotsford MLA John van Dongen and Chilliwack MLA John Les said this spring they will do what they can to protect the Fraser Valley's air quality. Environment Minister Barry Penner also earlier reminded Metro that it has other options, including the Cache Creek landfill and a proposal to build an incinerator in Gold River on Vancouver Island.

Ross is still hoping Metro board members look at the opposition and the concerns raised when they vote on the waste management plan on July 30.

If they approve the incinerator, the plan then has to go to the Ministry of Environment for approval.

The proposed incinerator would burn some of the 500,000 tonnes of garbage that is now trucked to the Cache Creek landfill each year.

Metro Vancouver produces about 1.4 million tonnes of garbage a year. The solid-waste management plan also aims to recycle 70 per cent of its trash by 2015, compared to the 55 per cent rate today.

The FVRD supports the other initiatives in the Metro Vancouver plan to divert waste and increase reduction, reuse and recycling and hosts a website that offers information about air quality in the Fraser Valley and waste reduction, at www.airqualitymatters.ca

- with files from The Vancouver Sun

The waste committee's recommendation to approve the plan to build the controversial $470-million incinerator in the Lower Mainland will go to vote of the full Metro Regional District board on June 30.

Its proponents, such as Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, said the incinerator was the most logical alternative to landfills.

"The garbage was created here and we need to find a solution right here to deal with it," he said. The incinerator was recommended to take the 500,000 tonnes of garbage that is now trucked to the Cache Creek dump each year. The burner would also create electricity for Metro Vancouver regional communities.

But those opposed to waste incineration, such as the FVRD, fear it will also create unknown cocktails of pollution that could be carried on the wind up the funnel-shaped Fraser Valley.

Ross says with the overwhelming opposition to the waste burner idea, she's surprised the committee still supports it.

"When you think about it, it's only a small handful of people who do support it," she said.

Those who have publicly opposed the plan include Lower Mainland chambers of commerce and several communities, the FVRD, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the Wilderness Committee, the David Suzuki Foundation, the Sierra Legal Fund, the Pembina Institute and others.

"How often do you see the business sector and the environment sector united on something? I don't understand how you can go with something with so much opposition," she said.

Ross is still hoping Metro board members consider the opposition and concerns raised when they vote on the waste management plan on July 30.

If they approve the incinerator, the waste plan then goes to the Ministry of Environment for approval.

The proposed incinerator would burn some of the 500,000 tonnes of garbage that is now trucked to the Cache Creek landfill each year.

Metro Vancouver produces about 1.4 million tonnes of garbage a year. Metro's solid waste management plan also aims to recycle 70 per cent of its trash by 2015, compared to the 55 per cent rate today.

- with files from The Vancouver Sun